Cushion for billiard and pool tables and the like.



M. L. ADLER. CUSHION FOR BILLIARD AND POOL TABLES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7,.1913.

Patented Nov. 24. 1914.

UNITE,

MORTON L. ADLER, OF NEW YORK. N. Y.

CUSHION FOR IBILLIARD AND POOL TABLES AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2%, 1914.

Application filed August 7, 1913. Serit l No. 783,465.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Mon'ron L. Anni-1n, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New York city, county and State of New *York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Cushions for Billiardand Pool Tables, and the like, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to cushions for bilhard and pool tables and thelike, and the objects of the invention are to improve upon the cushionsnow in use so that the same will be uniformly resilient and will obviatethe thumping noise usually incident when the ball is driven withconsiderable speed into the cushion.

To the accomplishment of the above objects, and to such others as mayhereinafter appear, the invention comprises'a cushion provided'with aseries of air cells situated behind the working face in the back portionof the cushion, which act as ail-cushions to give a very uniformresiliency and obviate noise and pounding.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 shows a vertical section of so muchof a billiard table, with a ball resting on the bed thereof and barelyin contact with the cushion, as is necessary to be shown to illustratemy invention. Fig. '2 is a view in cross section taken on the line 2-2of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of an alternate form of cushionmade in accordance with my invention, secured to the wooden lining. Fig.4 is a back view of the cushion shown .in Fig. 3 showing the part 6partly folded back. Figs. 5 and (i are views similar to views 3 and ishowing another alternate form.

In the drawings, A is the cushion stripcomposed of any suitable compoundor ma.- terial such as rubber suitable for the pure, poses of a billiardcushion, which is secured to the wooden lining B of the cushion-rail C.The cushion-rail is provided with a toprail D and is secured to the bedE of the table in the usual manner. The cushion strip A and the lining13 are usually covered with suitable cloth, one end of which is tackedto the bottomofthe lining B and the other end held in place by theretaining strip F, about which the end of the cloth is wrapped. The bedof the table is also usually covered with suitable cloth stretched overits top surface. In the present instance the cushion strip A, as. shown,is triangular in cross section and provided with a relathe cushion.

tively fiat working face G, although if desircdthe working face can bemade sharper.

According to the present invention the cushion A is provided with aseries of hollow spaces or air cells 1 which are separated from eachother by thin partitions :2 which are made of elastic material like thebody of The air cells 1 are arranged in the back portion of the cushionbehind the working face and extend the entire length of the cushion. Theair cells are made relatively short in length, good results having beenobtained with air cells that measure approximately half an inch inlength from the center of adjacent partitions 2, which are usually madeabout one sixteenth of an inch in thickness.

In Figs. 1 and 2, is shown my improved cushion made in two parts 3 andl, vul canized together, as shown, the part 3 containing the air cells 1with the partitions 2, the edges of which are also vulcanized to thepart 4 of the cushion.

In Figs. 3 and at is shown an alternate form of my improved cushion inwhich the all" cells 1 with the corresponding partitions 2 are made inthe body or forward portion 5 of the cushion, the air cells being closedby means of a strip of material 6, vulcanized or otherwise sccured tothe body 5, as shown in the figures.

Figs. 5 and 6 show another alternate form of my improved cushion inwhich the air cells 1 with their corresponding partitions are made inthe back of the cushion, the air cells being closed when the cushion issecured to the wooden lining B so as to make an air tight joint.

Cushions are now made, and in use generally, with a groove or opening inthe back of the cushion, which extends throughout the entire length ofthe cushion, this groove or opening permits the material. of the cushionto be forced inward behind the point where the ball comes in contactwith .the cushion. \Vhile a groove or opening that extends the entirelength of the cushion is better than a solid cushion, the same resultsare not obtained as are obtained in a cushion made in accordance withthe pres ent invention. The provision of the flexible partitions 2 toprovide the. small independent air cells 1, as above described, retainsthe air in these cells so that when the ball is driven into the cushionthe air in the air cell adjacent the point of contact is so I plish thispurpose.

restricted that a definite cushioning action is obtained. Itisimmaterial whether or not the point of contact .of the ball against thecushion is opposite the center of one of the air cells or one of theflexible partitions, because in either event the partitions give, asthey are made thin enough to accom- In that the partitions are madeflexible the air in the adjacent cells is also compressed, the number ofcells brought into operation depending upon the force with which theballis driven into the cushion. The important feature of a cushion made inaccordance with the present invention, resides in confining smallvolumes of air by flexible partitions so. as to provide space for theindenting of the cushion, while maintaining a definite cushioningactionl A cushion made in this manner is very lively, and obviates thepound.

ing noise of former cushions when the ball is driven with considerablespeed 1nto the cushion.

WVhile the invention has been describedwith particular reference to thedetails of construction the same is not to be considered as limitedthereto, as many changes can be made and still fall within the scope ofthe invention set forth in the following claims.

1. A cushion for billiard tables and the like comprising in combinationa series of "short independent air tight air cells embedded in saidcushion as and for the purposes set forth.

2. A cushion for billiard tables and the like comprising in combinationa series of short independent air tight air cells embedded in saidcushion behind the working face thereof as" and for the purposes setforth.

3. A cushion for billiard tables and the like comprising in combinationa series of short independent air tight air cells and flexiblepartitions between said air cells as and for the purposes set forth.

4. A cushion for billiard tables and. the like comprising in combinationa plurality of partitions dividing a groove in the back of said cushioninto a series of short independent air tight air cells.

5. A cushion for billiard tables and the like comprising in combinationa plurality of flexible partitions dividing a groove in the back of saidcushion into a series of short independent air tight air cells.

(3. A cushion for billiard tables and the like comprising in com ofpartitions dividing a groove in the back of said cushion into a seriesof short independent air tight air cells, and means for closing the backof said air cells.

bination a plurality 7. A cushion forbilliard tables and the likecomprising in combination a plurality of partitions dividing a groove inthe back of said cushion into a series of short independent air tightair cells, and a strip of malterial for closing the back of said air cels.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

MORTON L. ADLER.

Witnesses:

LEO J. MATTY, PAUL H. FRANKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of'fietente,

Washington, 1D. In.

